I need a bigger more powerful TV..but am trying to spend little money. I currently have '99 1500 Suburban w/Vortec 5.7L and 3.73 gears.
I want to get rid of it for a 3/4ton Suburban w/454 and 4.10 gears...'99 or older. That way it wont be worth much more than I can get for my Suburban. Or might be of the same value.
I prefer the Vortec version for the more power 290hp 410ft lbs. Would a pre Vortec 454 230hp 385ft lbs. be much of difference in towing than my 350ci 250hp 335ft lbs 'Burban? I know the '92-95 3/4ton chassis is better off towing but the motor has less hp than my motor, and not much more torque.
So If I find a good deal on a '92-95 should I get it or just hold out and pick up a '96-99?
Thanks for any advice. I know a couple people who have owned both version of these Suburbans and both said they towed like a dream. But both only towed a Jeep on a car hauler which weighs less than my TT.
'07 Hornet 30BHS TT-family cabin
'94 Suburban 2500 tow rig w/454ci, 4.10 gears, Prodigy controller
'95 Jeep Grand Cherokee-8"lift, 37" tires-play toy
If you look the RPM's have been increased in post 1995 engine so they can basically turn faster due to cam, intake, multi port EFI. Gear Vendors site shows identical power curves for both engines at the same RPM's but that could be in error perhaps or the fact they can make higher RPM's may be the big difference in HP. Your question is valid and I have had the same question. I have a 1992 P30 with the 454. Changing the fuel filter gave me 50% more HP.
I would opt for a 96 or newer. They have the OBD II engine diagnostic instead of OBD I. On either engine Headers and a cool air intake can add some oomph.
Bill
Bill & Kathy Francis
95 Itasca Sunrise 29RQ,P32 454 Chevy, Banks,ECM chip.Safe-T-Plus, Bilsteins, Super Steer Bell Crank, Stewart Stage 1 Waterpump, Severe Duty Fan Clutch, OilGuard Bypass Filter, Coolant Filter. Rear Tracbar. 1-5/8" Front Swaybar.
I've driven both...first, are you sure you want a <10MPG 454 at $3.25+/gallon? You can get a 2500 with a 350.
The Vortec has more power, and is much freer-revving than the TBI engine. Also, the 1995 was the last year for the old interior design, with the squared-off dash, spinning-disc gauges (actually kinda cool), & no airbags. However, I wouldn't hesitate to get a TBI engine if the truck was in good condition. Either will tow very well.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
No comparison.....the Vortec motors are far more powerful. I had a 1995 K2500 pickup with a 454 pre-Vortec and I was surprised at it's lack of power. It was OK, but I thought a 7.4L motor would have a lot more grunt. I have driven Vortec 350's and I think they feel more powerful than the non-Vortec 454's.
Also pretty important, the 4l80 transmission is much better on the later trucks. I have rebuilt 3 or 4 of them, and the later transmissions have thicker gears,and all kinds of improvements to the lube circuits in the tranny. If I remember correctly, the last greatest improvement happened in the 97, an added lubed circuit to help out a few bearing problems in the trans., and wouldn't you know I had the 96.
Jarlaxle wrote: I've driven both...first, are you sure you want a <10MPG 454 at $3.25+/gallon? You can get a 2500 with a 350.
The Vortec has more power, and is much freer-revving than the TBI engine. Also, the 1995 was the last year for the old interior design, with the squared-off dash, spinning-disc gauges (actually kinda cool), & no airbags. However, I wouldn't hesitate to get a TBI engine if the truck was in good condition. Either will tow very well.
Thanks for the advice guys, I'll try to stick to a Vortec 454ci. Exhaust and K&N system is something I would to do right away. I don't mind the gas mileage...my 1500 Suburban only gets 13 empty and 7-8 towing my camper. But it struggles to tow my camper. If I'm going to do a switch I will get a bigger motor.
My camper weights about 7500-8000lbs loaded...way more than my 1/2 ton should be towing. It tows it and has for a year, I just take it easy and never take the highway on trips. Most of our camping trips have been within' 50 miles of home. I want venture farther away, but not with my current 1500 and 350ci. A 2500 w/350 has a towing rating of 7500lbs. A 2500 w/454 has a 10,000lb tow rating. So I would like the bigger motor.
Actually '94 was the last year of the squared off interiors.
I rather buy a X w/V10, or Suburban w/8100...but those are a few to several grand more than I can find 454ci Suburbans, and out of my price range for right now.
Having owned a TBI 454 and currently a vortec 350, honestly the 350 to me anyway,in my C2500 has more towing power. I would concure, get the vortec 454, and I seem to recall they get 1-2 mpg more than the tbi 454's to boot! Not that 1 mpg is better, but at todays prices, that can add up!
The 8.1 from tests I have seen, seems to be less mpg's than the V454, along with a bit more pull power, ie 3-5 mph more on a given 3-5% grade with the same trailer. So not a lot of difference their either.
Marty
05 Chev CC D/A LS Dooley
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
00 Chev C2500, V5700, 4L80E, 4.10, base truck, no options!
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
3 Single axle utility trailers
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